Just a few months ago the the US and it’s few puppets and supporters were castigating the UN over Iraq, but now having been sucked into an almighty quagmire it is going back to that same organisation for help to bail it out. What a beautiful irony.
US bids for UN Iraq help
Intense talks are taking place at the United Nations to try to get agreement on US proposals to give the UN a broader role in Iraq and to transform the military presence in the country into a multinational force. No exact details have been released of the draft resolution, approved by President George Bush, but it could be put before the Security Council as early as this week. Washington’s move comes amid ongoing attacks on coalition troops - as well as domestic criticism over the costs of the occupation. At a ceremony in the ancient city of Babylon, US Marines formally handed over control of the area, which includes the city of Najaf, to Polish commanders. Correspondents say the US is keen to stress the multinational nature of this force, although some of the countries are providing only a small number of troops. Unnamed US officials say the draft resolution being circulated at UN headquarters redefines the role of the UN in the process of transferring power to the Iraqi people. This is seen as opening the way for more troop and financial contributions to help Iraq’s reconstruction. However, Washington insists that the US remain in command of any restructured multinational force. The BBC’s David Bamford at the United Nations says the scene is set for hard bargaining at the UN Security Council. He says there seems to be a broad swathe of international opinion that the new resolution should not be seen to endorse American actions in Iraq so far. But there is also an acknowledgement that the international community needs to look to the future. So a US commander of a restructured force might be acceptable as long as the force is under a precise UN mandate and it is the UN as a whole that determines where Iraq is going in terms of its security, as well as its political and economic future.
US force ‘needs to be halved’
The idea of asking the UN to give legitimacy to the US-led occupation of Iraq has been bitterly opposed by Bush administration hawks, says the BBC’s Washington correspondent Justin Webb. But President Bush now appears ready for compromise with the UN if that means the burden of reconstruction can be shared, our correspondent says. The US Congressional Budget Office is warning that the number of American troops in Iraq will have to be more than halved if threats elsewhere in the world are to be confronted. Washington hopes a UN blessing will persuade big military powers - such as India, Pakistan and Turkey - to contribute troops to Iraq. In another development, officials from the United States Government, along with the European Union, Japan and the United Arab Emirates, have been meeting in Brussels to discuss the reconstruction of Iraq. They were joined by representatives of the UN, the World Bank and the American-appointed governing council in Iraq. The meeting is designed to lay the groundwork for a formal international donors’ conference in October.
Security warning
US chief administrator Paul Bremer has said he is willing to give more authority to members of the US-endorsed Iraqi cabinet - who were sworn in on Wednesday - once they consolidate their position. But amid Iraq’s continuing security problems, a member of the Iraqi Governing Council has threatened to set up armed militias to tackle the problem. Shia leader Muhammad Bahr al-Ulloum has suspended his participation on the governing council, saying it has failed to influence US policy on security. Mr Bahr al-Ulloum told the BBC Arabic Service that such militias would be in charge of security in holy places in the cities of Najaf and Karbala. He was speaking after hundreds of thousands of people attended the funeral in Najaf of the Shia cleric Ayatollah Muhammad Baqr al-Hakim on Tuesday. He and more than 120 other Iraqis died in a car bomb attack there last week. The BBC’s Magdi Abdelhadi says this statement from such a prominent Shia leader as Mr Bahr al-Ulloum will be seen as a sign of growing restlessness among the Iraqis at the American inability to improve security.
Re: US goes begging to the UN and the world for help in Iraq
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The US Congressional Budget Office is warning that the number of American troops in Iraq will have to be more than halved if threats elsewhere in the world are to be confronted.
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I thought they are being halved - gradually, by the Iraqis?
I presume the 'threats elsewhere' refers to the impending confrontation with N. Korea? Or is that a no no as they have nuclear weapons?
Re: US goes begging to the UN and the world for help in Iraq
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*Originally posted by Malik73: *
Washington hopes a UN blessing will persuade big military powers - such as India, Pakistan and Turkey - to contribute troops to Iraq.
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I wonder why Pakistans name keeps popping up in this issue. Seems like we are looking at another possible round of carrot dangling by the US administration, or perhaps a subdued form of threat of possible reduction in aid, or sanctions of some sort, if Pakistan repeatedly refuses. Same seems to be the case for Turkey.
Pakistan is already deeply involved with the UN in places where its contribution is much more needed. In Iraq, any contributing country will be simply doing mop-up duty for the US commanders, and it would be a shame if the UN gives in to a forced US leadership. The same UN that was conveniently ignored by the US before the war, cannot be used for cleanup purposes, or more likely, for target practice on behalf of the US.
Re: Re: US goes begging to the UN and the world for help in Iraq
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*Originally posted by Akif: *
I wonder why Pakistans name keeps popping up in this issue. Seems like we are looking at another possible round of carrot dangling by the US administration, or perhaps a subdued form of threat of possible reduction in aid, or sanctions of some sort, if Pakistan repeatedly refuses. Same seems to be the case for Turkey.
Pakistan is already deeply involved with the UN in places where its contribution is much more needed. In Iraq, any contributing country will be simply doing mop-up duty for the US commanders, and it would be a shame if the UN gives in to a forced US leadership. The same UN that was conveniently ignored by the US before the war, cannot be used for cleanup purposes, or more likely, for target practice on behalf of the US.
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That's because President Musharraf had some kind of discussions of sending troops to Iraq during his recent visit to Camp David.
US has promised to pay upto US$200 million to any nation that sends its troops to Iraq and certainly that amount is very tempting when Musharraf has 400,000 soldiers under his command.
Ted Koppel asked the President in his interview on the ABC Nightline, how many did the US ask for, he replied upto a division: about 20,000 troops.
I dont like to say this, since I have two relatives in the Army, but Pakistanis will face the same fate as in Somalia. The Army went there to help out the Americans, but got killed in the process.
[quote] The US Congressional Budget Office is warning that the number of American troops in Iraq will have to be more than halved *if threats elsewhere in the world are to be confronted.
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What other threats need to be confronted? As per Dubya's words i thought the "war on terrorism" was going splendidly, don't we all feel so much safer today than we did three years ago?
Anyways where are all the American politicians who love to bash the UN ? i wonder how they feel about needing UN legitimacy for their country's illegal military adventures abroad.
Re: Re: US goes begging to the UN and the world for help in Iraq
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*Originally posted by Akif: *
The same UN that was conveniently ignored by the US before the war, cannot be used for cleanup purposes, or more likely, for target practice on behalf of the US.
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That is exactly the point. It was the United States with it's British stooge that invaded Iraq against the will of 80% of the members of the UN Security Council and world opinion. Members of the Bush regime lined up to condemn the UN and the countries that opposed US war mongering, and now it is the same US regime that is lobbying the UN and countless countries to help it out in Iraq. The US should cut it's losses and get out of Iraq now before it is made to suffer even more humiliation than it has until now.
haha they believe in a UN.. I thought the UN was a "failed institution".. the US had to lead the world alone and go it with it's "allies".. where are the "allies" now??? and why is the US turning to the "irrelevant" UN??
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*Originally posted by AvgAmericanGirl: *
How can U.S. bow out gracefully?
Suggestions?
Say the U.S. bows out? Who should lead rebuilding?
I'm thinking multi-national with equal say so.
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Whose bombs destroyed Iraq's infrastructure in the first place, and whose bombs and bullets have killed over 6000 Iraqi people since launching the illegal invasion?
Why should the UN and the other countries of the world pay for this American mess? Is the US not brave enough to stay in Iraq on it's own with it's British and Mongolian allies?
[QUOTE] Originally posted by AvgAmericanGirl: *
**How can U.S. bow out gracefully?*
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It's far beyond the point of "grace" right now. US presence is causing antagonism & deep resentment in the country; their presence hasn't provided much relief to the millions of Iraqis who sweltered this summer without electricity, or to the thousands of doctors who performed operations in inadequate lighting & electrical conditions. It's not about a "graceful" exit for the Americans right now - it's about what's right for the children, women, and men of Iraq. The priorities of the Americans (or anyone else for that matter) come in afterwards.
Re: Re: Re: US goes begging to the UN and the world for help in Iraq
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*Originally posted by Malik73: *
The US should cut it's losses and get out of Iraq now before it is made to suffer even more humiliation than it has until now.
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Why should the UN and the other countries of the world pay for this American mess? Is the US not brave enough to stay in Iraq on it's own with it's British and Mongolian allies?
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Contradicting statements. Which is it? Get out or stay to prove they are 'brave enough'?
Re: Re: Re: Re: US goes begging to the UN and the world for help in Iraq
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*Originally posted by Seminole: *
Contradicting statements.
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Only in your reading. The US should cut it's losses and get out, yet it wants to stay (because it does not want to admit defeat) and is not brave enough to handle Iraq on it's own. Why not just get out, and save the Iraqi people as well as the terrified US soldiers a great deal of grief.
PakistaniAbroad brought up a good point. Bush had the support of some 50 or so nations for the war. Those countries were so quick to nod their heads for the support of the war. Now its high time they walk the talk and provide the personel support to the alliance of the liberators. I hope Pakistan never sends its troops to Iraq under the US err UN flag. Bush can keep his millions in bribe he offered.
